Reconstruction of Rte 34 to be discussed in May 22 Derby meeting

Published 2:36 pm, Friday, May 19, 2017

Route 34 is jammed in the northbound, and busy in the southbound, directions in Derby, Conn. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015.

Route 34 is jammed in the northbound, and busy in the southbound, directions in Derby, Conn. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015.

Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

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Traffic travels through the construction zone on the Main Street (Rt. 34) bridge, over the Naugatuck River, seen here looking towards downtown Derby, Conn. March 4, 2016.

Traffic travels through the construction zone on the Main Street (Rt. 34) bridge, over the Naugatuck River, seen here looking towards downtown Derby, Conn. March 4, 2016.

Photo: Ned Gerard Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

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The state plans to widen Route 34, Derby's Main Street. The project will cost $14 million and take about two years to complete when it starts in the fall of 2017.

The state plans to widen Route 34, Derby's Main Street. The project will cost $14 million and take about two years to complete when it starts in the fall of 2017.

Photo: Autumn Driscoll / Hearst Connecticut Media

Reconstruction of Rte 34 to be discussed in May 22 Derby meeting

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DERBY-Some think it will result in a major highway flowing through downtown Derby and tying up traffic for miles.

Others believe the widening of Route 34, better known as Main Street, finally will open up the nearly vacant downtown to development plans.

Residents, motorists and business owners will get their chance to speak on a new proposed plan during a May 22 informational session in City Hall beginning at 6 p.m. The plan calls for turning the two-lane road into a four lane highway with a median in between. This revamping would begin near the Route 8 exit at Home Depot and continue to the Derby-Shelton bridge before it narrows again to two lands.

The new plan calls for on-street parking on both sides of the road and reducing the width of the shoulders. It also calls for removing the Bridge Street parking lot, converting Third Street to a one-way street and redirecting the bicycle path to the redevelopment site.